Mandarin Oriental, New York Appoints Laura Williamson, Master Sommelier as Wine Director and Garrison Price as New Chef de Cuisine at Asiate

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK APPOINTS LAURA WILLIAMSON, MASTER SOMMELIER AS WINE DIRECTOR AND GARRISON PRICE AS NEW CHEF DE CUISINE AT ASIATE

NEW YORK, October 21, 2015 – Mandarin Oriental, New York is delighted to announce the appointments of Master Sommelier Laura Williamson as Wine Director for the Five-Star and Five-Diamond property and Garrison Price as Chef de Cuisine for the hotel’s signature Restaurant Asiate.

Laura Williamson comes to Mandarin Oriental, New York with more than 20 years of experience in the wine and wine service industry, most recently serving as Corporate Beverage Director at Jean-Georges Restaurants. Williamson holds the coveted distinction of Master Sommelier and is one of only 23 women in North America to have earned the prestigious title. Throughout her career, Williamson has held key management positions with Skurnik Wines, Dove Mountain Grill and Rudi Wiest Selections. She currently serves on The Court of Master Sommeliers, the grading body for aspiring candidates, and also holds the title of Certified Wine Educator, speaking annually at wine conferences and festivals throughout the United States.

As Wine Director, Williamson will be responsible for curating Asiate’s eclectic wine collection, collaborating with the culinary team to develop food and wine pairing menus and special events, while also overseeing the staff’s knowledge of wine and wine service. Williamson will also oversee the beverage programs throughout the hotel in the Lobby Lounge, MObar, In-Room Dining, Private Bar and Catering.

Chef Garrison Price brings more than 15 years of gastronomic experience to his position at Asiate. Most recently, he served as Head Chef of China Poblano by José Andrés at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. Prior to this, he held posts at Culinary Concepts Hospitality Group, which operates internationally-acclaimed restaurant brands created by Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. The Illinois native embarked upon his culinary career at the age of 16 with a position in Rockford, Illinois’ finest restaurant, Café Patou.

In his new role as Chef de Cuisine, Price will be responsible for crafting the contemporary menus and signature dishes of the hotel’s award-winning 90-seat restaurant, Asiate, overlooking Central Park and the Manhattan skyline from the property’s 35^th Floor.

“We are delighted to welcome both Laura Williamson and Garrison Price to Mandarin Oriental, New York,” says General Manager, Susanne Hatje. “With their diverse and extensive backgrounds in the food and beverage industry, we look forward welcoming our guests to the property to experience the innovative epicurean collaborations from this dynamic new duo.”

Guests of Mandarin Oriental, New York are invited to experience the duo’s first collaborations at Restaurant Asiate during a Gaja Wine Dinner on November 10, 2015 featuring Italian wines from the iconic Angelo Gaja, one of the most celebrated names in Italian wine today.

Reservations for Asiate can be made by contacting the restaurant directly at +1 (212) 805 8881 or by emailing monyc-asiate@mohg.com.